Sen. Marcos Pushes for Free College Education in State Colleges and Universities

Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. is pushing for free college education in all the state colleges and universities in the country.

In a press briefing on Friday at the La Carmela Hotel and Convention Center in the island of Boracay in Malay, Aklan Marcos said that based on his study the government has the capability to provide funding for the tuition fees of all the students enrolled in the SUCs.

“Meron akong ipo-propose na pag-aralang mabuti na gawing na lahat ng estudyante ng SUC ay gawing libre na ang kanilang pag-aaral dahil sa kalkulasyon namin hindi gaanong kalaki ang (pondong) kakailanganin ng gobyerno na gastusin para dito,” said Marcos.

Based on the data from the Commission on Higher Education there are 547 SUC in the entire country, which are administered and their operation subsidized by the government. However, students in SUCs still have to pay tuition fees.

CHED figures indicate that a total of 1.4 million students were enrolled in SUCs for the school year 2013-2014.

Likewise, Marcos also called for increased support for public school teachers, saying it is a crucial factor in improving the country’s educational system.

Marcos stressed that education is one of the most important service that the government can provide to the people.

The Senator said he will work for possible enactment of measures for this purpose in the remaining session days of the Senate.

However, if the current legislative agenda will not be able to accommodate these proposals Marcos said he would continue to seek for their realization even if he is elected Vice President in the 2016 elections.

senate.gov.ph